‘Why are blind paying for digital TV?’
Charity criticises Town Hall chiefs over compulsory charges for council estate leaseholders
Published: 08 July, 2010
by TOM FOOT
BLIND people should not be forced to pay the Town Hall’s compulsory charge for digital television, a charity has claimed.
Jean Rossiter, chairwoman of Visually Impaired in Camden (VIC), said blind and partially sighted tenants and leaseholders – some of who have already complained to Camden Council about the charge – should be exempt from charges for something “they will not use”.
One blind leaseholder from West Hampstead has already objected, arguing television is “surplus to [his] requirements”.
Ms Rossiter, who campaigns for VIC, which is based in Phoenix Road, said: “I am totally blind and never watch television. It is certainly a valid argument that blind people should not have to pay. It is like charging someone who doesn’t own a television. It doesn’t make sense.”
The council has already begun charging for installation or aerials that boost the TV reception on council estates.
The Integrated Reception Systems (IRS) are being installed ahead of the big digital switchover in 2012 – when some analogue aerial televisions will stop working.
Around 20,000 tenants are paying 87p a week on their tax bills and leaseholders are typically paying £400 a year and a monthly charge for maintenance.
The communal aerials will mean old-style analogue televisions can receive a digital service and allow access to satellite channels.
But for anyone who already has a digital TV, owns a Freeview box, or does not watch television, the upgrade appears to be pointless.
Peter Moore, who lives in Winter Garden House in Holborn, said: “I don’t own a television so this is a major affront to my freedom of choice. Someone has made a nice little earner out of this.”
Contractors Lakehouse are installing IRS as part of the Decent Homes refurbishment of council homes.
During a consultation in 2008 residents were told their “digital TV boxes would not work unless IRS were installed” and that it is needed “so that people can continue to view television”.
Peter Wright, chairman of the Leaseholders Forum, said: “This is simply not true for the majority with a good analogue aerial.
“Most rooftop aerials and some set-top aerials will be fine after switchover.”
A spokeswoman for Camden Council said: “Councils across the country are installing Integrated Reception Systems (IRS) and all households will have to meet the costs of the programme. Camden Council needs to consider the long-term use of its housing stock and is installing IRS across a further 18,452 properties, as part of a self-funding programme that was developed following consultation with residents.”
Comments
I do disagree with the points
Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 2011-09-29 12:52.I do disagree with the points made as the installation of the IRS in high rise blocks will enable residents residing within these block to receive such services as Sky TV which was previously very difficult if not impossible due to installation. Even standard TV reception is difficult in high rise blocks and the IRS system will eliminate these problems.
As for the blind, I do think that they should be given a discount, maybe not a full discount as part of the service provided by the new system is DAB radio.
If you live in a block with an elevator but choose not to use it, does that mean you should not be exempt from the associated service charge? I dont thinks so. Well the same applies to this charge. Just for clarification, this comment is aimed at the residents who's sight is sufficient to watch TV, not the blind.
I do disagree with the points
Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 2011-09-29 12:51.I do disagree with the points made as the installation of the IRS in high rise blocks will enable residents residing within these block to receive such services as Sky TV which was previously very difficult if not impossible due to installation. Even standard TV reception is difficult in high rise blocks and the IRS system will eliminate these problems.
As for the blind, I do think that they should be given a discount, maybe not a full discount as part of the service provided by the new system is DAB radio.
If you live in a block with an elevator but choose not to use it, does that mean you should not be exempt from the associated service charge? I dont thinks so. Well the same applies to this charge. Just for clarification, this comment is aimed at the residents who's sight is sufficient to watch TV, not the blind.
digital TV
Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 2010-07-08 17:50.How come Peter Wright, chairman of the Leaseholders Forum, didn't lobby to stop this totally unnecessary IRS expenditure and advise all Leaseholders that they did not need a new aerial installed. In the July 1st
article by Tom Foot, Camden advised a Leaseholder that they had given totally false information and were sending a correction by letter to all those people affected. Did anybody receive this correction?
Digital TV
Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 2010-07-08 17:30.Perhaps the Camden Council spokewoman can explain in detail the term 'self-funding' This System is being foist on tenants & leaseholders, is wholly unnecessary & is an unwanted 'upgrade' allowing a tiny minority of people to view foreign language programmes. Hard wire systems are by their very nature already obsolite & no doubt will be installed to the lowest possible standards. The instigators of this crackpot scheme should be sacked.
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